Publishers Weekly

Hooray!! Secrets is finally out in the wild! I’m so excited about this book, which is the first full-length title in my new series, The Renegade Royals. And I’ve been both thrilled and relieved that it’s getting great reviews, including this prestigious starred review from Publishers Weekly:

“If the remainder of Kelly’s Renegade Royals series is as arresting and entertaining as this kickoff, then Regency romance fans are in for a royal treat…Kelly combines diverting dialogue, delightful surprises, and finely tuned pacing to make this a winner.”

You can read an excerpt from Secrets on my Books Page, and here are some handy buy links:

Finally, don’t forget to join me for my facebook release day party! It’s taking place tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 pm EST, on my facebook Events page. I’ll be giving away prizes all through the party, and hosting some fab guest authors–who will also be doing giveaways! Just click here to RSVP and join in the fun.

The Iron Portal world is very cool, too, featuring warriors with special abilities and portals hidden in the Pacific Northwest that separate the modern and ancient worlds. Here’s the blurb for Rogue’s Passion:

For years, Olivia Crawford has kept a low profile in order to keep her para-ability secret. If the army finds out she’s a Healer-Talent, they’ll force her to work for them—just like her brother who was taken as a boy and never seen again.

But when a terrible explosion rocks New Seattle, she risks everything to save the injured, including a handsome stranger with secrets of his own.

Blaming himself for the death of a friend, Iron Guild warrior Asher Kane vows to bring those responsible to justice. After he’s hurt on a mission and nursed back to health by a beautiful yet mysterious woman, this dangerously sexy bad-boy finds himself falling for her…even as he struggles to stay away.

But stalking them on the streets of New Seattle is a cruel and vengeful evil—one that threatens to destroy them both…

You studied TV and film in college, and eventually worked in that profession. Why the switch to romance writing?

It’s not a switch! I’ve always loved romance novels, and I’ve always loved TV, so I decided to have a career in both. I write novels, but I also work for the small and smaller screen, my latest project being The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the hit web series retelling of Pride and Prejudice. (You can visit Lizzie’s world on YouTube, folks)

How does your background in that visual medium help (or hinder) your writing?

I think it helps, honestly. It makes me think differently about how I write my novels. It make me think about what would be the best setting for a scene, the iconography of one place versus another. It also makes me think about chemistry, and how much can be said without saying anything.

What can you tell us about your new book? Is it part of a series?

My new book is set in the same Blue Raven world as my previous novels, but very much stand alone. Bridget Forrester longs to meet a gentleman who doesn’t mention her beautiful sister (Sarah, heroine of If I Fall) upon shaking her hand. But since being branded a shrew after a disastrous social season, Bridget knows she’s lucky to even have a man come near her. It’s enough to make a lady flee the country…

So Bridget heads to Venice for music lessons with the renowned Italian composer Vincenzo Carpenini, with whom she’s been corresponding. But not only is Carpenini not expecting her, he doesn’t even remember her! His friend, theater owner Oliver Merrick, does, though. And one look into her tantalizing green eyes has him cursing his impulsive letter-writing, which brought her across the continent. Yet before Merrick can apologize, Carpenini has ordered her away.

Little does either man know that they will soon be embroiled in a wager that will require the beautiful Miss Forrester’s help—or that there’ll be far more at stake in this gamble than money…

Wow! Your plate is full with some very cool stuff, Kate! Thanks for taking the time to be with us. Readers, Kate is graciously giving away a copy today of If I Fall. Since her latest book involves music and composers, let’s talk about that. What’s your favorite music to listen to? One person who comments will win a copy of If I Fall.

I’m thrilled to have my pal Juliana Stone on the blog today. Juliana writes in several genres, including critically acclaimed paranormal romance and young adult. But she also writes fantastic contemporary romance that’s sexy, entertaining, and also incredibly emotional. Her new book, The Summer He Came Home, just came out. It garnered a starred review from Publishers Weeklyand was also named one of their top ten picks of Spring 2013.

Let’s have a little chat with Juliana, shall we?

You write both paranormal romance, YA, and contemporary romance. Did you find it difficult to switch between genres? Do you prefer one over the other?

Good question, Vanessa! For me, this is something I don’t have a problem doing and that’s probably because I have a lot of voices and ideas in my head that need to get out! LOL. That being said, not every writer can write in multiple genres; you have to have the voice to make it work, but fortunately for me, I was able to get it done.

As to whether I prefer one genre over another, it’s hard to say. They’re different beasts for sure. I find that paranormal can be a little exhausting. The world building is incredibly intricate, so at the moment I’m finding writing contempt are somewhat soothing to the soul and when I dive back into the paranormal world, I’ll be really excited to do so.

You’ve called your new book, THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME, the book of your heart. Why is that and what can you tell us about the story?

The Summer He Came Home is a book that I’d been dreaming of writing. It features a hero who is a rocker, and I had so many people tell me I’d never sell a romance with that kind of guy, that I was determined to make it work. I love everything about my hero, Cain Black. He’s a combination of my love of Jon Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx, and because music is such a huge influence in my life, when I found out I’d sold this series I was over the moon!

This book is about family, healing, redemption and the power of love.

You’ve got another contemporary romance coming out in May, and other projects on the burner. How do you manage to be so productive and not go insane?

Oh my God, I am busy but I love it. I think it’s more the question of, how keeping busy keeps me sane. I have so many stories inside me, that I’m grateful to be able to get them out there for my readers. The Barker Tripletshave been a blast to write, and the third book, CONCEAL releases in late May. Along with the YAand my Bad Boys books, those voices and stories in my head are getting some mileage!

Book 2 in the series, THE CHRISTMAS HE LOVED HER, will be out October 1, 2013. It features Jake Edwards, brother to the twin whose funeral in book 1 was the catalyst for all the boys returning home to Crystal Lake. He’s dealing with a lot of demons and boy does he need an HEA! The third book will be released in April 2014!

We’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! Readers, Juliana is graciously giving away one of her books today – one commenter will win either a digital copy of one of Juliana’s Barker Boys books, or a signed copy of The Christmas He Loved Her when it comes out in October. Just tell us what you love about contemporary romance – or what you don’t love – for a chance to win.

I’ve got a very special guest on the blog today, one who fits in perfectly with the recent 200th anniversary of the publication ofPride & Prejudice. She’s Alyssa Goodnight, and she writes delicious and quirky contemporary romance inspired by Jane Austen. Her first book got great reviews, including this one from Publishers Weekly:

Honestly, it was quite by accident. I had just started writing the manuscript that would become Austentatious and was trying to incorporate a magical journal into the story. Meanwhile, I was loving all the Jane Austen fan fiction options, and suddenly it hit me: What if the magic in the journal was coming from Jane Austen, match-maker extraordinaire?? I thought it was a super fun idea, and just what the story needed. And honestly, I had such fun writing it and imagining the possibilities if it were actually true… Austensibly Ordinary was just as fun, and and now I’m feeling like I might need to write a few more stories that feature the Jane Austen Journal.

Austensibly Ordinaryis about two best friends, Cate and Ethan, both high school teachers. Cate feels like she’s in a rut and needs a little adventure–maybe even an alter ego… She also suspects that Ethan is keeping something from her–something big–and she’s determined to ferret it out. When Cate stumbles across the journal, intending to use it to chronicle her newly exciting life, she doesn’t realize that its magical messages are about to wreak some serious havoc in her life and relationships. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, it’s light and fun women’s fiction.

Your first book was a Regency historical romance. Why the switch to contemporary fiction?

For the simple reason that there was a shift in my reading preferences. For years, I read a TON of Regency romances, so when I decided I wanted to try writing a book, my natural inclination was to write a Regency. My Regency novel is Unladylike Pursuits. I had a lot of fun writing it, and I adore the Regency period, but my tastes started to run to chick-lit, and then Jane Austen fan fiction. From there, it just seemed a natural slide into my own Jane Austen-inspired homage.

What’s up next for you?

I’m currently working on the first book in a series of contemporary romance novels set in the Texas Hill Country, tied together with a hint of magic.

There you have it, readers. For those lovers of contemporary romance, chick lit, and/or Jane Austen, Alyssa’s books are just perfect for you! For my readers today, Alyssa is giving away a copy of her first book, Austentatious. For a chance to win, simply tell us which is your favorite Jane Austen novel, or an Austen-inspired movie or TV show. One person who comments will win Alyssa’s fabulous book!